Westgate Auto Group awards Durham Tech $75,000 for automotive scholarships

director nate smith with durham tech automotive students Westgate Auto Group has granted the Durham Technical Community College Foundation $75,000 to establish the Westgate Auto Group Scholarship.

The award will annually benefit at least seven students in the Automotive Systems Technology program.

“We are pleased to recognize the Westgate Auto Group’s support of our students,” said Melissa Chappell, Executive Director of the Durham Tech Foundation. “This is a significant investment by an industry partner for one of our most in-demand programs, and we are very grateful.”

The scholarship will cover each’s student tuition and fees for two semesters. Before entering their final semester, scholarship recipients will receive additional funds for any tools needed for work-based learning and their future careers.

“I would like to thank Larry Moll, of Westgate Auto, for his persistence and initiative and Westgate’s gift to Durham Tech and to our automotive students,” said Nate Smith, Director of the Automotive Systems Technology program. “This scholarship will enable us to give hope to people who otherwise may not have been able to afford the training necessary to excel in an automotive career.”

To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in the Automotive Systems Technology program.

The scholarship program was established to help fill the local need for skilled automotive technicians.

“Westgate Auto Group is aware of the shortage of trained technicians within our industry,” Moll said. “Durham Tech has stepped up and allowed us to create a program that benefits students and fulfills our need for staffing for the future. Smith has been a joy to work with and has been instrumental in helping us develop our program.”

Students can earn their associate’s degree, diploma, and/or industry-recognized certificates through the Automotive Systems Technology program. Durham Tech also offers automotive continuing education courses.

For more information on the Durham Tech program and its offerings, visit https://bit.ly/33ModP6.


Contact Stephanie Turner, Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator, at turners@durhamtech.edu for more. 

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